Monday 11 November, Remembrance Day

On 11 November there were crowds at the Shrine of Remembrance

Woke once during the night.Then up at 9 for breakfast at Father Thomas, a nice cafe nearby. We met Matthew and Sarah at the hotel and took 2 trams to Melbourne Arts Centre.

There we crossed over to the gardens and walked to the Shrine of Remembrance. We just missed the ceremony at 11.00 but saw soldiers firing a cannon and a band playing. Many school parties were visiting the shrine and its war memorials. At midday the sun shone down onto the floor plaque inside the shrine. Australia took part in both World Wars as well as the Vietnam War.

The Botanical Gardens had many beautiful trees and flowers

Then we explored the Botanical Gardens and the gift shop. There were many colourful flowers, birds, trees. We had lunch in a cafe outside before seeing the cacti and the lake. We took a visitors' shuttle bus to the university quarter and said goodbye to Matthew and Sarah, before returning to the hotel for a rest.

In the evening we went out for a Greek meal in Lonsdale Street - Tsindos. Two musicians were playing. We had hummus and aubergine salad with pittas, then lamb and chicken souvlaki, with Crooked Horse Shiraz. Walked home in the rain.